Muscles, Mindset and Mental Health

My relationship with the gym is about more than the benefits to my physical body. I certainly have physical goals and they tend to be the ones I’m the loudest about. Toes to bar, unassisted pull ups, growing a plump peach and developing deep core strength are some of my current and on going goals. Seeing the physical changes take shape is definitely rewarding, but it’s about something deeper than that too.

I’ve recently begun focusing on my rest periods and looking at decreasing my recovery time between sets. Translated to life, this could help me when wrangling up five young un’s, chasing two nearly two year old boys, dancing with my home girls on a Friday night or doing Thai yoga massages on men twice my size. Our ability to recover from exertion in a timely manner is an important measure of fitness. My nerd self knows that I am using biofeedback to return to a homeostatic state, but my ghetto self knows being able to catch my breath quick is key, no cap.

I’ve also added more supersets and drop sets to my five day split. Supersets help with that cardiovascular recovery and endurance while drop sets push me through fatigue and make me stronger and more resilient.

I’m always working on form and alignment and really experiencing the mind~muscle connection. My nearly fifteen years of yoga practice lends itself well to gleaning the most benefit physically but also keeps me safe and injury free.

I drink water like crazy at the gym, generally getting enough ounces for the whole day in one gym sesh. Working out and eating healthy tend to go hand in hand, but working out also allows a late night pizza and beer here and there without busting a button.

The sauna is great for my menopausal skin, helps me sweat out some toxins, and warms my cells up for some post workout deep stretching which aids my recovery and decreases DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness. This heated deep stretching is like hot yoga allowing further range of motion and sick flexibility which lends nicely for greater gains.

I usually walk into the gym with sunglasses on, earbuds in and cranked. I flip a switch and become laser focused and in a zone that allows that mind~muscle connection with every rep, but also a zone that sometimes will provide answers to struggles I may be having or sometimes creative ideas to explore later.

I began to realize that sometimes that focus inward can make me seem unapproachable. With an RBF and no eye contact demeanor, my authentic kind, open and sociable nature is overshadowed. So I started working on that too, saying hello to more people, complimenting people on their obvious gains or good form and even chatting with fellow sweaters in the sauna. I’m working on finding a balance of focus while still being my fun, loving, extroverted self.

Exercise is another practice that enhances neuroplasticity, collateral circulation and regulates my nervous system. Strength training, yoga, meditation, walks in nature and breathing exercises are some of my favorite ways to integrate a healthy and balanced mind~body connection. All of this builds self awareness, self reflection, emotional intelligence and regulation and these qualities lead to healthier thinking, healthier relationships and just an overall more enjoyable life experience for me.

Maybe you’re living with the consequences of the last ten or twenty years or more of a lifestyle lacking self care. The good news is that it’s not too late. Take a walk in your driveway and build up to more. Park farther away from your destination. Move your body. Focus your mind. Take care of yourself.

I’m training for my old lady body or a zombie apocalypse, and the best part is that it helps me to feel good right now. If you wish you could get started, there are people to help you! There are trainers and teachers that can help you but honestly, most people at the gym are helpful and we all want you to succeed. No one is going to make fun of you or judge you. You may not realize it but we’re really all cheering for you! If you catch me watching you lift, there’s a good chance I’m not really even aware of you, but if I am, then I’m probably in my head saying something to help you, like “Push. Go. You’ve got this.” And lending you a little encouragement.

The gym builds confidence, consistency, and creativity. It fosters resilience and recovery.  Going to the gym burns off some of the crazy. It makes navigating life in this five foot two inch frame a bit easier and it creates a sense of clarity where I can find answers to life’s questions and sometimes some profound ideas. While I’m there, I may as well be working on building a better booty.

Innergy Fitness in Celina, Ohio is my refuge. It’s a top notch, really clean and really friendly place with equipment, classes and a vibe to meet the needs of any level exerciser. Not only is it a safe, chick friendly gym, it’s owned by a couple of really kind and really cool women. Why wouldn’t I support and promote it?

Find a movement practice that works for you, a few that you enjoy and look forward to and then keep doing them. It’s simple but it’s not easy. You deserve to feel good and the people you love deserve to have the best version of YOU!